Late Justice Bernard hailed as ‘la

The Guyana Association of Women Lawyers (GAWL) was among those who paid rich tribute to retired justice Desiree Bernard who passed away yesterday at the age of 85.

In a statement, the GAWL said that Justice Bernard was known for breaking the proverbial glass ceilings in several areas of law, particularly those involving women’s rights.

“She was known as a lady of firsts and was an amazing daughter of the soil, having been awarded the Cacique Crown of Honour and the Order of Roraima, among many other accolades”, it said.

The GAWL said that Justice Bernard became qualified as a solicitor in 1964 and practised civil law in

Guyana from 1965 until 1980, when she became the first female Judge of the High Court of the Supreme Court of Judicature.

In 1992, she became the first female Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of Guyana, then the first female Chief Justice of Guyana and in the Commonwealth Caribbean in 1996. In 2001, Justice Bernard was appointed as the first female Chancellor of the Judiciary of Guyana and in the Commonwealth Caribbean. She was the last person to hold a confirmed appointment to that position.

From 2005, she served as one of the first judges of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) until her retirement. For her stellar service to the legal system and public service, the GAWL said that Justice Bernard was conferred in 2023 with an honorary Doctor of Letters by the University of Guyana. During her distinguished career, the association said that Justice Bernard held membership in many local and international organizations including the Caribbean Women’s Association and Organization of the Commonwealth Caribbean Bar Associations.

“She was the first President of the GAWL, a testament to her dedication to empowering women in law. She became an honorary member in 2021 of the GAWL. Her leadership and vision have inspired us all as we continue the work of the Association”, the association said.

President Irfaan Ali yesterday expressed condolences at the passing of Justice Bernard.

““It is with profound sadness that I have learnt of the passing of a true icon of the legal profession, Justice (rtd.) Desiree Bernard.

Her remarkable career as Chief Justice and Chancellor of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, alongside her esteemed tenure as a Justice of the Caribbean Court of Justice, left an indelible mark on our legal landscape, one that all Guyanese should take pride in.

Justice Bernard was a trailblazer for women in the field of law. Her stellar legal career, personal integrity, and her outstanding legacy, I am confident, will continue to inspire all who seek to serve within our legal system”, he said.

In a statement, Attorney General Anil Nandlall SC said: “No doubt, Justice Bernard, by her accomplishments, would have inspired several generations of women. I believe that the overwhelming majority of female(s) entering the profession over the last two decades, not only in Guyana but across the Caribbean Region, is a testimony to the influence of a cadre of female lawyers and jurists of which Justice Bernard was the founder.

“Both on and off the bench, Justice Bernard carried herself with an aura of decorum and rectitude in keeping with the nobility associated with judicial office. Yet, Her Honour remained accessible and approachable. I know this because when I entered the profession, Her Honour was the Chief Justice and was doing all estate matters and trials. I did my first series of trials in civil law before Justice “Bernard. To say that I learnt greatly would be an understatement.

“One quality of Justice Bernard I distinctly remember: Her Honour welcomed constructive criticisms of the Judiciary and Judges. When those criticisms were made, Her Honour engaged in an attempt to find a solution.

Director of Public Prosecutions Shalimar Ali-Hack SC in remembering Justice Bernard said “She has set a high standard for all judges who aspire to emulate her especially female judges”.

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